18th Slate, 210, Mid-Spring
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Here he comes... The preparations are in order. There's a spare noble's room already carved and smoothed, the shower's full, the magma tower is awaiting its maiden incineration... I hope I haven't forgotten anything!
"A tomb."
"...What?"
It is the Wise Quietust to sneak up behind me while I'm writing this time. "Every noble needs a tomb, and a good one at that. At the moment, you have none.
"...Ugh! You're right! How could I have forgotten?? This won't do... his consort will be so unhappy!"
"Perhaps you should delay his killing, then, otherwise you might risk a tantrum from her."
"Yes, you're...
wait. The killing?"
Quietust tried in vain to hide a smile. "I am a wise dwarf, Zon. I hesitate to believe that even for a moment, you thought your game was hidden from me. What other purpose would a pool of water set precariously over a bottomless pit have, especially one triggered by a lever directly beneath that pool behind a door that seals behind you when you pull it?"
My heart was racing. I'd been found out! She's right, though; I never should have expected a wise dwarf to be oblivious of my mission. But what's
her game? Is she working for Unib? Was she sent to spy on me? Find out what I was up to, then report back to Unib? Is a mob from the Swift Arches going to come and hammer me to death?
"Name it."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Your price. Name it. We have artifacts. We have an adamantine buckler. You don't look the fighting type, but sell that and you should want for nothing the rest of your life."
Quietust held her hands up and laughed. "Ha, you are mistaken! A wise dwarf already wants for nothing. Material possessions are merely a distraction."
"Then what will it take to keep you quiet? If the king were to find out about this--"
"--then he'd have your head and mine, both. And probably Asob's. Your king is a coward, this you surely know by now. A coward will do what it takes to hide his truth from his enemies. I have no personal interests other than curiosity, I assure you that. I am fascinated by your case, Zon - what leads a dwarf to take on such a dangerous mission, one that challenges her very morals? Surely there are many reasons, each specific to the dwarf committing the deed, but I should like to learn your reasons so that, with your permission, I may advise others in the future by your experience."
"But Minkot also wants fast results. He simply won't allow me to keep Duke Rith here for any length of time."
"Stall. Get the tomb built, and find a reason to slow things down."
With that, Quietust left... to help me stall! As Duke Rith approaches the gate, Quietust intercepts him and engages in some farcical philosophy... I don't sit around trying to figure it out. I have practical problems to solve before the King notices the Duke is here.
Our population is now 150. We got an animal caretaker, a metalworker, two peasants, a macedwarf and a speardwarf, a child, and I'm honestly not sure what else - I'm in a hurry. There are plenty of beds, not all of them are opened up for rent though, so I open a few.
I suspend the exploratory mining and designate room for a tomb. I also relieve miners of all other duties to ensure this gets done first.
A slight modification is made to the magma tower to help with its debut. By now, Quietust has invited Rith to her quarters and is still discussing some great new philosophy. Minkot is getting impatient.
Four days later, the tomb is put together. The walls still need smoothed, but it's enough. I'm not wasting any more time... to Quietust's room to fetch the Duke. When I arrive, they are still knee-deep in philosophy.
"...still can't believe I've never heard of this new god of yours!" Rith was saying. "Where is 'The Violet Ink,' anyway?"
"'The Violet Ink' is a dwarven culture far north of the ocean. Though we have contact with them, they are far removed and often hear little of them." Quietust looked up as I was standing impatiently in the doorway. "Ah, and here she is! This is Zon, the very dwarf I've been telling you about for four days."
I blinked. "You've been talking about
me for four days?"
Even more to my surprise, Duke Rith threw himself upon the ground and began kissing my feet. "Oh! I humble myself before you, Zon! I seek your blessing! Is there anything I can do for you, in the name of order, oath, laws, and loyalty?"
I raise an eyebrow at Quietust, who again fails to stifle a snicker. "Um... Yes, actually, there is something. Did you happen to see the tower with the wide branches on your way in?"
"Yes! The Holy Tower! You mean I may service it?"
"Better yet; I want you to commemorate its first use!"
"Oh!! You hear that, Quietust?! Zon wants me to personally see to the founding of his temple!"
"I'm sorry, 'he?'"
"Of course! Forgive me, I should not have refered to you as a mortal! Please, I still want to help your mighty cause! Will you... will you make me your first sacrifice?"
I blink again. Quietust, safely behind and out of view of Rith, nods her head vigourously. "Um... Yes. I think you shall be sacrificed, indeed. For you I have a... holy quest!"
"A holy quest that will end in my sacrifice? Thank you!! What must I do? Anything, I shall do it!"
"Venture inside the holy tower. There is a lever there that I want you to pull. Nothing will happen at first, but keep pulling it! Over and over and over, you shall repeat pulling. When you have pulled enough, you shall be sacrificed."
"I shall go at once!" And off he went.
Sorry to cut this short! I had company come early, and I don't see myself getting this finished before the rest of our gaming party gets here. I'll try to finish this tonight.
Author
Topic: Severedcoils - Consort Accumulation Challenge (Score: 5) (40d + DnD 5e) (Read 130400 times)